Wheel support for tandem disk harrows



Feb. 2, 1954 A. E. w. JOHNSON l-:TAL l 2,667,724

WHEEL SUPPORT FOR TANDEM DISK HARROWS Filed Dec. 4, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 2,. 1954 A. E. w. JoHNs-oN ETAL 2,667,724

WHEEL SUPPORT FOR TANDEM DISK HARROWS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 4, 1948 Patented Feb. 2, 1954 WHEEL SUPPORT FOR TANDEM DISK HARROWS Arnold E. W. Johnson, Oak Park, and John R.

Orelind, Wilmette, Ill., assignors to International Harvester Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application December 4, 1948, Serial No. 63,562

3 Claims.

This invention relates to harrows and particularly to tandem disk harrows having relatively movable gangs. More specifically the invention concerns a wheel support for movable gang harrows.

y A tandem disk harrow comprises a pair of laterally alined gangs of earth working disks mounted on a framework and capable of being relatively angled about a vertical axis in working position. A second pair of gangs tov the rear of the first pair is capable of being angled in the opposite direction for the purpose of throwing dirt in a different direction from the front gangs. Means are provided usually associated with the implement hitch and controlled by the draft on the implement for angling and deangling the gangs. For purposes of transporting the harrow the angle is taken out of the gangs and they are alined so that the disks will travel in a Vertical longitudinal extending plane, facilitating their passage over the ground and minimizing the possibility of damage thereto. This method of transportation, however, is unsatisfactory since the disks are easily damaged and scratch the ground over which they travel. Likewise, the frictional contact of the disks with the ground and the character of the implement render it diicult to transport and steer when propelled by a tractor or the like. v

Wheel supports for diskharrows are already known. The harrows are, however, usually provided with crank axles upon which the wheels are mounted. To move the harrow between transport and operating positions involves swinging of the crank axle, which causes the wheels to travel longitudnaliy through an arc in moving the harrow frame up and down. in a harrow, particularly a change-angle tandem disk harrow, space between the disk gangs is at a premium and a wheel rapport of the type referred to could not be utilized.

An object of the invention is to provide in a isk harrow means to facilitate transportation thereof.

' Another object of the invention is to provide a wheel support for a tandem disk harrow wherein the space required for the operation of the wheels is at a minimum.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel mounting for the wheels of a wheelsuppcrted tandem disk harrow wherein the wheel axles are pivote-d at one end and the wheels move in a transverse vertical plane.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wheeled support for a changeangle tandem disk harrow to facilitate handling thereof and to raise the disks out of contact with the ground for transport purposes.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved tandem disk harrow having means for changing the angle of the disk gangs and means for transporting the harrow without the necessity of deangling the gangs.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a change-angle tandem disk harrow embodying the features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly in section of the harrow construction shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation with parts removed for clarity showing the manner of mounting the supporting wheels for the harrow.

The agricultural implement shown in the drawings is a tandem disk harrow wherein longitudinally spaced pairs of disk gangs are adapted to be angled with respect to each other to positions indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. This harrow comprises a frame designated by the numeral I i? and comprising a front frame section I I and a rear frame section I2. Front section Ii includes a transversely extending triangular member I3 and a longitudinally extending draft tongue which comprises laterally spaced parallel bars Id.

A forward pair of transversely alined disk gangs i5 and iS are pivotally connected at il to the rear ends of draft members I3 secured to the outer ends of the triangular hitch frame I3. By being thus pivoted the gangs I5 and IE are capable of swinging about the pivot Il to positions indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1.

The angular adjustment of the gangs I5 and IS is accomplished by mechanism which includes a draft head I 9 mounted between the parallel members lli for longitudinal slidable movement relative thereto in a manner Well known in the Vimplenient industry. The forward end of the draft head I9 is provided with a clevis 29 by which the implement may be connected to the draw bar of a tractor for propelling the implement across a field. The rear end of draft head is is curved upwardly and has pivotally secured to the end thereof the rear end of a latch tongue 2i provided with notches 22 cooperable with a latch pin 23 carried by a yoke 24 which serves to guide the latch tongue 2l. A rope 25 secured at an aperture-25 in the latch tongue extends forwardly to the tractor and may be operated therefrom to lock or release for sliding movement the draft head I9. In the position indicated in Fig. 2, the draft head I9 is locked in position by engagement of latch pin 23 in one of the notches 22 of the latch tongue 2l. By pulling upon the rope 25 the operator of the tractor by which the implement is propelled can withdraw the latch from engagement with the pin 23 and allow the draft head to slide relative to the draft members I4.

The rear end of the draft head I9 and the pivotal connection of latch tongue 2| thereto also provide a pivotal connection for the forwardY end of a link 2, the rear end of which is pivotally connected to the upper end of a lever 28 which in turn is pivoted intermediate i'tslends. at 29 upon the draft bars I4. The lower end of the lever 28 is pivotally connected to a pair of links 29. The rear ends of links 29 are pivotally connected to forwardly extending arms 30 forming a'part'of. an upright 3| secured to --bearing boxes 32 at the innerend of--each of the front gangs `I5 and I 6. f It should nowbe clear that upon Vrelease of the latch 2I and a forward pull upon draft head lwithrespect to thedraft members I4, lever 28 will be rocked in a `counter-clockwisedirection as viewed in Fig. 2te force links 23 rearwardly and urge rearwardly the innerV ends of the gangs I and I5 so that the gangs of disks will occupy the positions indicated indotted lines in Fig- 1. The rearframe section `I2 of the disk harrow comprises a forwardly Varched transversely extending frame bar 33 braced by a transverse bar 3." Frame bar 33 at each endV thereof is pivotally connected at 35 to a forwardly extending arm 3B secured to a bearing box 31 upon laterally spaced disk gangs 38 vand 39. YRear gangs 38 and 33, as shown inFigi, may be angled in ahorizontal direction about pivots- 35 tothe positions indicated in dotted lines. A f Y Draft is transmitted from the draft'tongue I4 and the front frame section I3 to the rear frame section I2 and its associated disk gangs 38 and 39 by a pair of laterally spaced links 4|] and III. Link 4G extends forwardly from and is secured to the rear frame section I2, and is connected to an arm 42 extending rearwardly from the upright 3l through lthe intermediary of a link 43, the latter connection providing relative vertical pivotal movement of the gang sections I I and I2 about transverse pivots represented bythe connections of links 43 and 4I to the arms 42. In substantially transversealinement with the links 43 are links 44 which connect laterally spaced bars I5 and 45 to arms 41gextending rearwardly fromuprightsl. Y Y

It should now be clear that upon forward movement of draft head I9 relative to the draft tongue the inner ends of the front gangs I5 Yand I6 will move rearwardly causing the arms 51 to swing outwardlyvand forwardly and through bars l5 andv 4 5 to urge forwardly the inner ends of the gangs l-38 and 39, this'byY virtue of the pivotal connection of the rear ends of arms 45 and 35 to arms 48 and 49 extending forwardly from Vbearing-boxes 5I) and lmcarriedat the inner the angling of the gangs and limit the amount of angling thereof or will themselves require so much space for their operation that they become impractical. It is therefore customary to transport the disk gangs without wheeled supports upon the disks themselves in the position indicated in solid lines in Fig. 1. The working position of the disk gangs is the dotted line position where the disks aggressively engage the ground Y and the gangs throw dirt in opposite directions.

Likewise an implement of this type is diihcult to handle in transport position due to the articulated character of theY front and rear frame sections, being connected together on a transversely extending pivot for Vrelative pivoting movement.

The present invention was designed to provide a Awheeled support for a tandem disk harrow of the change-angle type which would require a minimum of Ispace for operation thereof and would not interfere with the operation of the diskvgangs..VI v.

Secured tothe rear frame bars 33'and 34 of therear section I2 Aand extending upwardly therefrom are .a pair ofv laterally spaced lugs 52 provided with suitable bearings to support a rock y shaft `53,A the ends-of which projecting beyond the lugs 52 arebent generally forwardly to provide lift arms 54 pivotally connected at their ends to lift links` 55, the lower ends of which are pivoted Vupon pins 53 carried by lugs 51 secured to the outer ends of a pair of axially alined transversely. extending axles 58. The inner end of eachof the axles 53 is pivotally mounted at 5S ina bearing block Gaiiixed to and dependingfrom'the rear frame section I2. Due to the pivotal mounting of axles 58 at 59 they are vertically movable about. these pivots from the solid line position to the dotted line position indicated in Fig. 3. Each of the axles 58 has journaled upon its end a ground wheel 5 I.

In order to confine the action of the axles 58 andv provide for vertical movement thereof in a transverse plane, a pair of guide brackets 52 are provided, one being secured and depending from therear frame section at opposite ends thereof. As clearly shown in Fig. 2, this bracket E2 is provided with a vertically extending slot 63 adapted to l receive the outer end of the axle 58 and to coni-lne the axle against longitudinal movement relative to the implement while accommodating vertical movement thereof in a substantially straight line.

Raising and lowering of the axles 58 and wheels 5I to move the implement from the solid line or raised positionindicated in Fig. 2 to the dotted line or operating position thereof is accomplished bylifting mechanism which includes a ram unit 64 whichcomprises a cylinder E55 pivotally mounted upon. a bracket 'Et aiiixed to the rear frame section and curving forwardly and upwardly. The piston rod 6'! of the ram unit is pivotally connected tothe upper end of a rock arm 38 mounted upon the transverse rock shaft 53 centrally there? of. Fluid under pressure is supplied to the cylinder 65 through hose lines 69 and I0 from a source of fluid pressure preferably deriving power fromthe tractor, not shown, Vby which the implement is drawn. YExtension of the piston rod 61 from the position shown in Fig. 2 will rock the arm 68 and the rock shaft 53 in a clockwise direction, raising the liftlink 55 and lowering the disk gangs to operating position.

` In the transport position of the implement shown in Fig. 2, the draft head I 3 is connected to altractor drawbannot shown, and the two frame.

sections ll and l2 of the implement are capable ci" tilting about the transverse pivots represented by the links i3 and 44. In order to overcome the tendency of the implement to buckle about this transverse pivot, a brace rod H is provided, the rear end of which is adjustably and pivotally connected to the upper end of the bracket 66 and the forward end of which is pivotally connected by a pin l2 tc the upper end of a lug 'i3 secured to the draft members I4. The member 'H thus functions as a brace to prevent relative pivoting of the frame sections. However, since a certain amount of relative pivoting of the frame sections is desirable in transporting the implement, a slot i4 is provided for the reception of the pin 12 in brace bar 7l. This provides a certain amount of lost motion which accommodates limited relative movement of the frame sections while preventing buckling thereof.

It is believed that the operation of the novel tandem disk harrow construction of the present invention will be clearly understood from the foregoing description. It may likewise be understood that modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. For use with a tandem disk harrow including longitudinally spaced disk gangs, an articulated frame supporting said gangs comprising front and rear sections pivotally connected for relative movement of the gangs about a transverse axis therebetween and a hitch structure for connecting the harrow to a source of draft power: a pair of transversely alined axles between said sections having their inner ends pivotally connected to the frame for vertical movement of the outer ends about longitudinal axes, wheels carried at the outer ends of the axles, a vertically slotted bracket carried by the frame at each side thereof, the slot in each said bracket being adapted to receive and conne the associated axle against longitudinal movement but to accommodate vertical movement thereof, means for vertically moving said axles about their central pivots to raise and lower the harrow, and a lost-motion connection between said front and rear frame sections vertically spaced from the transverse pivot therebetween to prevent buckling of the frame, while permitting limited pivoting of the frame sections.

2. For use with a tandem disk harrow including an articulated frame comprising front and rear sections pivotally connected for relative movement of the sections about a transverse axis therebetween, a hitch frame, and longitudinally spaced disk gangs carried by the respective front and rear frame sections for relative horizontal movement about vertical axes: a pair of transversely alined axles between said sections having their inner ends pivotally connected to the frame for vertical movement of the outer ends about longtudinal axes, wheels mounted on the outer ends of the axles for supporting the frame, means associated with said hitch frame and connected to said gangs for effecting relative horizontal pivoting thereof, means carried by the frame adapted to guide the axles in a vertical path, and a lost motion connection extending between said front and rear frame sections above the transverse' pivot therebetween to provide for limited relative pivoting of the frame sections.

3. For use with a tandem disk harrow including an articulated frame comprising front and rear sections pivotally connected for relative movement of the sections about a transverse axis therebetween, a hitch frame, and longitudinally spaced disk gangs carried by the respective front and rear frame sections for relative horizontal movement about vertical axes; a pair of transversely alined axles between said sections having their inner ends pivotally connected to the frame for vertical movement of the outer ends about longitudinal axes, wheels mounted on the outer ends of the axles for supporting the frame, means associated with said hitch frame and connected to said Vgangs for eifecting relative horizontal pivoting thereof, guide means for said axles comprising a pair of brackets carried by the frame at laterally opposite sides thereof, a vertical slot formed in each said bracket to receive the associated axle, lift means mounted on the frame, a connection between the lift means and the outer end of each said axle for raising and lowering the wheels relative to the frame, and a connection having lost motion extending between said front and rear frame sections above the transverse pivot therebetween to limit relative pivoting thereof.

ARNOLD E. W. JOHNSON. JOHN R. ORELIND.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 26,704 Peck Jan. 3, 1860 919,854 Gross et al. Apr. 27, 1909 1,362,795 Holsey Dec, 21, 1920 1,725,409 Mowry et al Aug. 20, 1929 2,144,961 Book Jan. 24, 1939 2,164,550 Steward July 4, 1939 2,228,508 Crumb et al Jan. 14, 1941 2,336,410 McKay Dec. 7, 1943 2,349,257 Evans et a1 May 23, 1944 2,356,876 Newkirk Aug. 29, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 296,567 Germany Feb. 17, 1917 

